Automobile wheel hub



C. KNECHT. AuToMoBrLE WHEEL HUB.. APPLICATION FILED DEC.30, 1920.

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AUTOMDBILE WHEEL HUB.

imanes.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 21, 1922.

Application led December 30, 1920. SeraflNo 434,043.

To Zt whom t 'may Concern.'

lle it known that l, Ciiiiinns Kinoirr, a citizen o'll the United States, residingbiat St. `Louis, in the State ot Missouri, have invented certain new and useful Improve ments in rliutomobilc lllheel Hubs; and l do herebyv declare the following to be a tull,

clear and exact descriition ot the inven cated in the hub and adapted to receive the initial shocks and `iars to the wheel and which has associated tl'ierewith auxiliary cushioning elements tor absorbing shocks and jars that are not consumed bv the main cushioning element` ther`ebT insuring' a complete absorption ot the shocks and jars and consequently providing a smooth riding wheeln A further object ot this invention is the provision ot means tor mounting the cushioning elements which will allow adiustment ot the latter on the axle and in relation to the hub.

A still 'further object oit this invention is the provision et an automobile wheel hub ot the above stated character which will be sinigle, durable and eihcient, and which mav be manufactured and sold at a comparatively low cost.

1With these and other objects in view as will become more apparent as the descrip tion proceeds, the invention consists in certain novel features ot construction, combination, and arrangement ott parts that will he hereinafter more tullv described and claimed.

For a complete understanding ot my invention, reference is to be had to the tollowingr description and accompanying` drawings, in which:

Figure l, is a longitudinal sectional view, illustrating an automobile wheel hub constructed in accordance with my invention,

'teriiw the interior of said hub.

Figure 2 'is a transverse sectional view illustratingv the same,

Figure 3 is a detail view illustrating;- the spacing plates, i

igure e is a. transverse sectional view illustrating a. modilied torni otl my invention Figure 5 is a detail view illustrating a pneumatic cushioning ball which may be employed with my modified term oit invention.

Referringv in detail to the drawings, the numeral l indicatesan axle having a spindle 2 Vtor rotatably supporting` a bushing or sleeve '3 and the latter is retained on the spindle against endwise movement bymeans ot `an integral shoulder et ot the axle 1 and a nut 5 threaded to the end ot said spindle V2. Retaining plates 7` ot" circular formation are provided with hub portions 8 threaded or otherwise secured to thebushing or sleeve ladjacentits ends and have slidable Contact with inwardl)T directed flanges 9 formed upon a hub 10.l Thehub l0 is connected to the rim 1l by spokes 12 and saidrim may have mounted thereon a tire .ot any desired construction. Fabric 153 is secured tothe hub l0 andtothe hubportions 8 ot the retaining plates 'Ytor the purpose ot preventH ing' dirt and other foreign matter from en- The inner retaining; plate T is preveiited trom having; endwise movement onV the sleeve orbnshing 3 in one direction by a jam nut lll threaded yto said sleeveoribushing while the outer retaining' plate 7 is prevented l'rom having endwisc movement on the bushing` or sleeve Bbv the nut 5 which is threaded to the end ot the spindle 2. The retaining' plates 7 also are threaded to the bushing or sleeve 3.

main cushioning member' l5 is mounted upon the sleeve or bushing il at a, point intermediate the ends ot the latter and ennagres the inner 'face oit the hub lO. The main cushioning element l5 ot annular formation and also is hollow. the air being hcrmcticallv sealed therein. The main cushioning; element l5 is constructed of rubber or aniT other material suitable for the purpose and is provided with an annular groove to receive an annular rib 16 formed on the bushing' or sleeve to prevent said cushionelernent trom having1 endwise movement on said sleeve or bushing` 3.

Plano-convex spacing plates 17 are mounted on the bushing or sleeve 3 and at each side el the cushioning;- element l5v andare arranged in pairs with their straight faces disposed in opposed relation. Auxiliary cushioning elements 18 constructed of solid :rubber other suitable material are mounted on the bushing or sleeve 3 and are spaced slightly from the inner lace oit the hub l0 so that the main cushioning element l5 is the iirstV to receive the shock or jar and after compression of the main ci shioning element7 the alnziliarycushiening element then consumes the sheclrs and Single plano- `'convert spacing plates 19 are mounted upon the bushing or sleeve 3 and engage the outer faces et' the auxiliary cushioning elements 18 and are prevented from having end-v wise movement on the bushing or sleeve by jam nuts 14 and 2O threaded to said hushing` or sleeve and providinga construction which will permit adjust-nient oil the auxil- `iarv cushioning;` elements lSjan-d the Wear plates 1 7 upon the bushing or sleeve The retainingy plates 7 are also capable of ad]ustuient on the sleeve or bushing' 3 which permits the hub l0 to be adjusted 1n relation to the main and auxiliary cushioning elements. n l i Y Referring to my modified form of invention` a plate 2l is mounted on the bushing; orsleeve 3 in lieu of the `main cushioning element l5 and is provided in its periphery with a series of pockets 22 adapted to receive cushioning` balls 23 that arevot hol-V low l'orination, and are hermetically sealedV so as to contain airtherein. The cushioning balls 23 bear against the inner face of the hub l0.Y The balls 23 may he constructed of any material suitable for the purposeand as shown in Figure 5 may be of thefinflatable type provided with suitable valvesiw W'hile l have shown and described the preferred embodimentl of my invention, it

\ will be understood .that minor changes in eonstruction,` combir'iation, and arrangement expansion ot of parte may be made Without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.

Having thus described my invention what y .predetermined Vcont-ractimi of the cushion a hollow annular cushion member secured to the sleeve'and supporting' the hub, annular auxiliary cushioning elements carried by the sleeve and normally/spaced from the hub and adapted to come in Contact aud support the latter after a predetermined contraction ol the cushion member, said ele` ments being constructed of solid material,

3. .1i Wheel hub "comp-rising; an axle receivinp` sleevel` a hull) receivingv said sleeve,

a main 'cushion member between the sleeve and the huh and normally supporting the iatter,v auxiliary cushion elements mounted en the sleeve and spaced Yfrom the huh and main cushion member? and spacing Vdislcson the sleeve and having convex faces to' engage the cushion member and elements, said taces adapted to prevent chaling of the cushion elements and member by the peripheries ot' said disks during the contraction and said cushion elements and member. i

ln testimony `whereof I ailir; my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

CHARLES KNEGHT. lllitnesses CARLA' LAMBUR,

CLARA MoLiToR.. 

